Flanging tool for attachment of side panels on automobile doors

ABSTRACT

A flanging tool for use with an air hammer for attachment of side panels on automobile door frames comprising a body having a longitudinally extending opening therein in which a shaft is reciprocably mounted. One end of the shaft is adapted to be actuated by the air hammer and the other engages one end of a pivoted force member for yieldingly urging the other end of the pivoted force member against a fixed pressure member.

' United States Patent Inventor George Skintds 31936 Pinehill Drive, Warren, Mich. 48093 Appl. No. 819,282

Filed Apr. 25, 1969 Patented Aug. 31, 1971 FLANGING TOOL FOR ATTACHMENT OF SIDE PANELS ON AUTOMOBILE DOORS 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 72/445, 29/243.58,72/452,113/54,173/131,173/133 Int. Cl. 1123]) 11/00 Field of Search 72/445, 429, 452, 470; 113/54, 57; 29/243.58; 173/131,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,372,029 3/1945 Stair 2,655,825 10/1953 Gendron 2,720,802 10/1955 Geller.....

2,903,988 9/1959 Engel Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerGene P. Crosby Attorney-Barnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate Hunter pressure member,

PATENTEI] AUG31 IHYI INVENTOR GIG/P64 xm rz/s 12%;, g BY )f P am ATTORNEYS flanging tool for attachment of a side panel on an automobile door frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the attachment of door panels to automobile doors in connection with replacement of the panel or repair, it is common to remove the door from the hinges, place the panel in position, bend a flange on the panel about the periphery of the frameand then remount the door.-The bending of the flange is usually achieved by the use of hand tools, that is, a hand-held metal block and a manually held hammer that is successively impacted against the flange to bend the flange about the periphery of the door frame.

Obviously, such a procedure is both slow in applying the panel to the door and, in addition, inithe loss of time in removing the door, reapplying the door to the car and realigning the door. Inaddition, this manual method often results in damage to the door panel, unevenness and lack of uniformity.

Among the objectsof the present invention are to provide a flanging tool whichcan be utilized in connection with an air hammer which will permit the side panel to be'mounted on the automobile door frame without removing the door from the hinges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The flanging tool embodying the invention is adapted to be attached to an air hammer andcomprises a body having a longitudinally ,extending opening therein in which a shaft is reciprocably mounted. One end of the shaft is adapted to be actuated by the air hammer and the other engages one end of a pivoted force member for yieldinglyurging the other end of the pivoted force member against a thick pressure member. The flanging tool is brought into position so that the fixed pressure member engages the sideof the panel and the pivoted force member engages the flange of the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the tool embodying the invention is adapted to be utilized for applying panels on door frames F (FIGS. 2 and 3) while the door is on the car. The tool is adapted to be mounted on an air hammer A of conventional construction.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the flanging tool 10 comprises a body "including a longitudinally extending opening 12in which a shaft I3 is mounted for reciprocating movement. One end of the shaft extends beyond the body and is adapted to be inserted in the air hammer when the body 11 is mounted on the air hammer by means of the threads 14. The other end of shaft 13 has a flatsurfacewith rounded edges, which abuts a curved surface. on one end of a force member 15 that is pivoted by a pin I6 intermediate its ends. A spring 17 has one end thereof connected to the one end of the force member and the other end thereof hooked into an opening I8 in the body 11. Body I] further includes a fixed pressure member 19 having a substantially flat, relatively large pressure surface 20 with rounded edges 20a..' lhe other end of pivoted member 15 is'pivoted with a substantially flat cooperating pressure surface 21, with rounded edges 21a, that is substantially parallel to the surface 20 when the pivoted member is in the position shown in FIG. 3, that is, with the shaft 13 in its upper position.

Body 11 further includes an opening 22 of larger diameter than the opening 12 thereby forming a shoulder 23. An enlargement 24 on shaft 13 functions in the opening 22 and further guides the shaft 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the axis of shaft 13 forms an acute angle with the surface of pressure member 19;This permits operating clearance so that the tool can extend between the door and the remainder of the automobile body. By providing rounded edges 20a, 2111, a more even, uniform application of force is achieved without damage to the panel P.

In use, when a panel on a door is to be replaced, the old panel is removed and a new panel P having a bent flange or lip L along the periphery is placed in position while the door frame F is still on the car. The tool is then mounted on an air hammer A and brought into the position such as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the outer surface of the panel P engages the thick pressure member. The air hammer A is then operated causing the pivoted member 15 to be successively actuated toward the fixed pressure member 19. On each pulse of air, the member 15 is pivoted toward the fixed pressure member 19. When the air pulse is dissipated or removed,. th e spring 17 returns the pivoted member holding it at all times, against the end of the shaft 13. By successive operation of the'pivoted member and movement thereof along the edge of the panel, the flange is bent into position against the frame. The panel can then be finally affixed to the frame by welding along the area X at the area of juncture of the free edge of the flange L and the frame.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a novel flanging tool whereby a side panel can be attached to an automobile door frame without removing the door. Damage to the door panel is eliminated and an even, uniform attachment is achieved.

Iclaim:

1. A flanging tool for attachment of flanged side panels on automobile doors and the like for use with an air hammer which comprises a body having a longitudinally extending opening therein,

a reciprocable shaft in said opening,

said shaft having one end thereof forming a piston and the other end thereof extending through said opening,

said shaft having a flange thereon,

said body having a guide opening therein for engaging the periphery of said flange,

said longitudinally extending opening in said body having an enlarged portion adjacent said one end of said shaft which defines a shoulder that is adapted "to be engaged by said flange,

a force member pivoted intermediate its ends on said body and having one end thereof in the path of the shaft and the other end thereof defining a force providing member,

a fixed pressure member on said body having a substantially broad face adjacent the other end of said force providing member,

whereby said tool when attached to an air hammer can be utilized for mounting of side panels on an automobile door by bringing the fixed member into engagement with the outer surface of a panel on the door and the other end of the pivoted member adjacent the flangeof the panel and the hammer successively actuated to bring the force providing member against the flange to bend the flange against the door frame,

said force member and said fixed pressure member having complementary substantially flat surfaces with rounded edges,

said one end of said pivoted force member being curved,

said other end of said shaft which engages said one end of said pivot member being substantially flat,

spring means yieldingly urging said one end of said force member toward said shaft,

said body including means for quick attachment to and removal from an air hammer.

2. The combination set fqrth in claim 1 wherein the length than the length of said p member. I

of the pressure surface of said pivoted force member is less ressure surface of said fixed pressure 

1. A flanging tool for attachment of flanged side panels on automobile doors and the like for use with an air hammer which comprises a body having a longitudinally extending opening therein, a reciprocable shaft in said opening, said shaft having one end thereof forming a piston and the other end thereof extending through said opening, said shaft having a flange thereon, said body having a guide opening therein for engaging the periphery of said flange, said longitudinally extending opening in said body having an enlarged portion adjacent said one end of said shaft which defines a shoulder that is adapted to be engaged by said flange, a force member pivoted intermediate its ends on said body and having one end thereof in the path of the shaft and the other end thereof defining a force providing member, a fixed pressure member on said body having a substantially broad face adjacent the other end of said force providing member, whereby said tool when attached to an air hammer can be utilized for mounting of side panels on an automobile door by bringing the fixed member into engagement with the outer surface of a panel on the door and the other end of the pivoted member adjacent the flange of the panel and the hammer successively actuated to bring the force providing member against the flange to bend the flange against the door frame, said force member and said fixed pressure member having complementary substantially flat surfaces with rounded edges, said one end of said pivoted force member being curved, said other end of said shaft which engages said one end of said pivot member being substantially flat, spring means yieldingly urging said one end of said force member toward said shaft, said body including means for quick attachment to and removal from an air hammer.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of the pressure surface of said pivoted force member is less than the length of said pressure surface of said fixed pressure member.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the axis of the shaft and the face of said fixed pressure member form an acute angle. 